ABSTRACT
A nanocomposite is a matrix in which nanoparticles have been incorporated to improve a particular property of the material. Nanocomposites are materials in which nanosized filler components are incorporated in order to improve the properties of the resulting materials. Nanocomposite materials can be classified as per their matrix materials into three different categories: metal, ceramic, and polymer. Many methods have been described for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites, including layered materials and those containing carbon nanotubes. The most important ones are intercalation of the polymer or prepolymer from solution, in situ intercalative polymerization, melt intercalation, direct mixture of polymer and particulates, template synthesis, in situ polymerization, and sol–gel process. Nanocomposites consisting of a polymer and a layered silicate remarkably enhance mechanical and materials properties. The heat distortion temperature of a polymeric material is an indicator of heat resistance toward applied load. The thermal stability of polymeric materials is studied by thermogravimetric analysis.
